Ocean Lodge
Last inspected: Dec 19, 2025
95
Score
Inspectors have visited Ocean Lodge five times, with records going back to 2024. The most recent visit was on Dec 19, 2025. Diners can read the low risk label as a sign that recent inspections have gone well.
The trend has been favorable: violation counts have eased from around four violations to closer to one violation per visit over the last few inspections.
When inspectors have written things up, “contamination prevented during food preparation” has been the most frequent reason, cited four times.
Among St Simons Island restaurants, the typical score is 89; Ocean Lodge is comfortably above that bar. There isn't much in the file that would give a customer pause.
5
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
1
Minor latest
Inspection History
Dec 19, 2025
Routine
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
12A - contamination prevented during food preparation, storage, display
Inspector notes: Observed significant ice buildup on food storage boxes in the walk in freezer at the time of this inspection. CA: Facility must ensure that stored food does not come into contact with ice.
511-6-1.04(4)(i)
95
May 13, 2025
Routine
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 3 minor violations. 2 corrected on site.
View 5 violations
6-1A - proper cold holding temperatures
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed TCS foods stored above 41F in a prep top cooler at the time of this inspection. COS:Facility discarded all TCS foods stored in the prep top cooler. CA: Facility stated they will have the cooler serviced. TCS foods cannot be stored in the left prep top cooler until the unit has been professionally service and able to maintain temperatures of 41F or below.
511-6-1.04(6)(f)
6-2 - proper date marking and disposition
Inspector notes: Observed items in multiple coolers without labels or dates at the time of this inspection. CA: refrigerated, ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared and held in a food establishment for more than 24 hours shall be clearly marked to indicate the date or day by which the food shall be consumed on the premises, sold, or discarded, when held at a temperature of 41°F (5°C) or below for a maximum of 7 days. The day of preparation shall be counted as Day 1.
511-6-1.04(6)(g)
11C - approved thawing methods used
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed ROP fish thawed and stored in sealed package in reach in cooler and right prep top cooler at the time of this inspection. COS: All thawed ROP fish in sealed packaging was discarded. CA: Educated manager in the potential hazards of thawing reduced oxygen package fish in its package.
511-6-1.04(6)(c)
12A - contamination prevented during food preparation, storage, display
Inspector notes: Observed significant ice buildup on food storage boxes in the walk in freezer at the time of this inspection. CA: Facility must ensure that stored food does not come into contact with ice.
511-6-1.04(4)(i)
15C - nonfood-contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: Observed significant build up and debris on non food-contact surfaces of the counter, coolers, walls, and ceiling at the time of this inspection. CA: Nonfood-contact surfaces must be cleaned frequently enough to prevent buildup and debris from accumulating.
511-6-1.05(7)(d)
67
Oct 23, 2024
Routine
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
15C - nonfood-contact surfaces clean
Inspector notes: Observed significant buildup on the lids of flour storage bins at the time of this inspection. CA: Buildup should be cleaned from the lids of the flour storage bins to prevent possible future contamination and pest attraction.
511-6-1.05(7)(a)
17C - physical facilities installed, maintained, and clean
Inspector notes: Observed exit button to walk in cooler in disrepair at the time of this inspection. CA: Repair door to walk in cooler to ensure employee safety.
511-6-1.07(5)(a)
12A - contamination prevented during food preparation, storage, display
Inspector notes: Observed significant ice buildup on food storage boxes in the walk in freezer at the time of this inspection. CA: Facility must ensure that stored food does not come into contact with ice.
511-6-1.04(4)(i)
86
Jun 10, 2024
Followup
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
17C - physical facilities installed, maintained, and clean
Inspector notes: Observed that Walk-in freezer had ice buildup on floor and left sidewall in the kitchen area at the time of this inspection. CA: All physical facilities shall be maintained in good repair and free of potential sources of contamination.
511-6-1.07(5)(a)
17A - toilet facilities: properly constructed, supplied, cleaned
Inspector notes: Observed that unisex bathroom in lobby area did not have a covered receptacle for feminine sanitary napkins at the time of this inspection. CA: A toilet room used by females shall be provided with a covered receptacle for sanitary napkins.
511-6-1.06(5)(h)
90
May 30, 2024
Routine
3 major violations. 5 minor violations. 4 corrected on site.
View 8 violations
6-2 - proper date marking and disposition
Inspector notes: Observed items in multiple areas (WI cooler, under counter cooler, prep top cooler) around the main kitchen without labels at the time of this inspection. CA: refrigerated, ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared and held in a food establishment for more than 24 hours shall be clearly marked to indicate the date or day by which the food shall be consumed on the premises, sold, or discarded, when held at a temperature of 41°F (5°C) or below for a maximum of 7 days. The day of preparation shall be counted as Day 1.
511-6-1.04(6)(g)
4-2B - food-contact surfaces: cleaned & sanitized
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed that both dishwashers in the kitchen and bar where out of sanitizer at the time of this inspection. COS: Manager replaced empty jugs of sanitizer with new ones. CA: Manager stated that he will educate his staff so they check the dishwasher's sanitizer levels and concentrations.
511-6-1.05(6)(n)
15B - warewashing facilities: installed, maintained, used; test strips
Inspector notes: Observed that facility did not have test strips available for kitchen nor bar at the time of this inspection. CA: Manager stated that they have them somewhere in the facility and cannot find them, but that they will be put out in both areas to be used.
511-6-1.05(3)(h)
4-2A - food stored covered
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed multiple temperature controlled for safety items being stored uncovered in walk in freezer (Pimento cheese, breaded tomatoes), walk in cooler (breaded tomatoes), under counter cooler (shrimp, steak) and prep top cooler (cereal) in the kitchen area at the time of this inspection. COS: Manager covered all items. CA: Manager stated that he will have conversation with staff to remind them to store all food items covered.
511-6-1.04(4)(c)
4-2A - food stored covered
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed large bag of bread crumbs being stored open in under table shelve at the time of this inspection. COS: Manager closed bag. CA: Manager stated that he will have conversation with staff to remind them to store all food items covered.
511-6-1.04(4)(c)
11C - approved thawing methods used
Inspector notes: Observed ROP fish was thawed and stored in package in walk in cooler (salmon) and under counter cooler (tilapia) in the kitchen area at the time of this inspection. CA: Educated manager in the potential hazards of thawing reduced oxygen package fish in its package. Manager stated fish will be discarded.
511-6-1.04(6)(c)
12A - contamination prevented during food preparation, storage, display
Inspector notes: Observed large amounts of ice on top of closed box of fish in the walk in freezer in the kitchen at the time of this inspection. CA: Packaged food may not be stored in direct contact with ice or water if the food is subject to the entry of water because of the nature of its packaging, wrapping, or container or positioning in the ice or water.
511-6-1.04(4)(i)
14C - single-use/single-service articles: properly stored, used
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Observed single service item being used as scoop in bin of flour in the kitchen area at the time of this inspection. COS: Manager discarded SSI. CA: Single-service and single-use articles may not be reused nor should they be used as scoops to avoid contaminating food items.
511-6-1.05(6)(r)
58
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Ocean Lodge last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Ocean Lodge on file is from Dec 19, 2025. The public record contains five inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Ocean Lodge?
Across the inspection record, “contamination prevented during food preparation” has been cited four times, more than any other issue at Ocean Lodge.
How does Ocean Lodge compare to other restaurants in St Simons Island?
Ocean Lodge most recently scored 95 out of 100, which is higher than the St Simons Island average of 89.
Has Ocean Lodge's inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at Ocean Lodge have averaged around one violation per visit, down from roughly four earlier in the record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at Ocean Lodge means inspectors found minimal or no significant issues at the most recent visit. Most facilities at this tier have a clean recent inspection report.
How often is Ocean Lodge inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Ocean Lodge is inspected around three times per year on average.
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